The Kaiju Transmissions Podcast

Norman England Interview (Pt 2): Sushi Typhoon,Takashi Miike,Film Criticism

For the second part of our interview, director/writer/critic/translator/photographer Norman England tells us all about the art of subtitling, working with Takashi Miike on the film Yakuza Apocalypse, his time working with Sushi Typhoon, being an American film critic in Japan, Japan's treatment of foreigners, the Japanese film industry, why he isn't currently directing another film, and the amount of effort that goes into making a movie. We also touch on Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, and the time Norman found a rare Son of Godzilla poster tacked to a wall in the middle of nowhere!

Norman England Interview (Part 1): From 42nd Street to Godzilla

Kaiju Transmissions welcomes its first Guest of Honor by welcoming (all the way from Japan!) writer/director/critic/translator/photographer Norman England to the show! As many fans know, Norman wasn't only the director of the Bringing Godzilla Down To Size documentary, but he's also spent MANY hours on Japanese film sets, including Gamera 3 and many of the Godzilla films (in addition to countless other Japanese genre films). In this first part of a two part interview, Norman shares many stories from his 100+ days working with the Toho crews, as well as his experience making what is arguably the definitive Godzilla documentary. In addition to that Norman also tells us about several books he's working on, nationalism, his thoughts on Shin Godzilla, and misconceptions that fans have about Japan. But first, we discuss Norman's inexplicable love of Howard the Duck and what it was like seeing movies in the torn down grindhouse theaters of 42nd Street in New York City back in the 80s.

The Sound of Kaiju!

Byrd and Matt are joined by musician and film music connoisseur Chris Marti of Cosmic Monster to discuss the music of kaiju films! We go discuss the various composers of kaiju films, our favorite composers and scores, and just how important music is in kaiju films. We follow that up with a monster music playlist that Chris put together for us, which includes well known tracks and oddball obscurities! Intro music: -Cosmic Monster- "Up From The Depths" -Marasu Sato- "The Appearance of MechaGodzilla" Kaiju Music Playlist: -Akira Ifukube- "Godzilla Comes Ashore" -Kunio Miyauchi- "Ultra Q Theme" -Masaru Sato- "Yacht, Hurricane and Monster" -Riichiro Manabe- "Monster Match III" -Erven Jereb- "Godzilla's Revenge Title Credits" -Magnetic System- "Cozzilla Main Theme" -Isao Tomita- "Great Prophecies of Nostradamus" -G.H.Q.- "Give Back The Sun" (cover)

Intro To Kaiju Collecting!

In the holiday spirit, Byrd, Matt and Eric give the gift of an intro to the world of kaiju collecting! They discuss what their first Godzilla collectibles were, and how their collecting habits have evolved with age. Matt and Eric talk their love of kaiju toys and Byrd discusses why he loves Japanese kaiju books that he can't read. Matt and Eric also give advice for people new to collecting kaiju toys. They also discuss their favorite items in their collections, and the ones that mean the most to them. This episode also features the debut of "Up From The Depths," the official Kaiju Transmissions theme song by Cosmic Monster!

Japanese Star Wars Knock-Offs: Toho vs. Toei

To celebrate the release of a new Star Wars film this coming weekend, Byrd and Matt got together at 2:00 AM to take a delirious, sleep deprived look at two completely bonkers Japanese Star Wars knock-offs from the 1970s. Toho's War in Space (1977) and Toei's Message From Space (1978) were both put into production to capitalize on the success of the original Star Wars, which was going to be released in Japan in the summer of 1978. Listen as the two exhausted hosts discuss horned wookiees, flying battleships, rapist lizard men, and drunk Vic Morrow to ultimately decide- which studio made the better Star Wars rip off?

Audio Commentary: Godzilla's Revenge (1969)

On our very first audio commentary, Byrd, Matt and Tom tackle Ishiro Honda's Godzilla's Revenge (aka All Monsters Attack)! This oddball kids movie is far and away one of the most maligned entries in the Godzilla series. We'll discuss the history and sociopolitical themes of the film, as well as the pros and cons. Does this movie deserve its reputation as one of the worst kaiju movies ever or should it get more credit? Listen and find out! We might just surprise you!

The Politics of Shin Godzilla

On this special post-Election Day episode, Byrd and Matt are joined by Japanese culture guru and musician Chris Marti (of the one man band Cosmic Monster) to discuss the loaded messages behind Shin Godzilla. Arguably the most politically charged Godzilla film to date, what exactly is the film trying to say? And how much of it has been overlooked or misinterpreted by fans outside of Japan? What made Prime Minister Shinzo Abe so attracted to the film? Join us as we answer those questions and discuss Fukushima, nationalism, international affairs, censorship, post-WW2 Japan, Shinzo Abe, and how the message in this film compares to previous Toho classics!

Toho's HOUSE (1977)

Our October horror series concludes with our Halloween episode! Byrd and Matt are joined by Trev (of If It Bleeds We Can Kill it and Days of Future Podcast) to talk about Nobuhiko Obayashi's HOUSE, one of the oddeste genre films in Toho's Showa filmography. Based on a story by his ten year old daughter, Obayashi's film is truly one of the most unique cinematic experiences one could hope to see. HOUSE remains a cult classic to this day due to its carefree childlike spirit and its use of every practical effect in the book. Join us as we discuss how this oddity came to be and why it continues to be a cult favorite the world over. We also touch on Obayashi's aborted "A SPACE GODZILLA" project. But first, we discuss the success of Shin Godzilla in the US, the Power Rangers trailer, and the passing of director Kensho Yamashita.

Matango: The Fungus of Terror!

NEW EPISODE: On this installment of our October horror series, we are once again joined by Tom of the Second Run Podcast to look at Ishiro Honda's cult classic Matango (aka Attack of the Mushroom People) from 1963. This is stylish horror film is arguably the most layered (and bleak) monster movie to come out of Toho in the Showa era. Join us as we discuss the movie's themes of isolation, societal breakdown, sexuality, and grotesque body horror. We also discuss Honda's relationship with screenwriter Takeshi Kimura, and how Kimura's works reflected his personal struggles. We'll even touch on the original short story by William Hope Hodgson, which the film was based on. Join us, but please don't eat the mushrooms!

Dracula: Toho Style! (The Bloodthirsty Trilogy)

For the next spooky October episode, Byrd and Matt are joined by Tom of the Second Run Podcast to take a look at Toho's Dracula Trilogy (aka The Bloodthirsty Trilogy) of the 70s. Many people are aware of Toho's interpretations of King Kong and Frankenstein, but their stylish Dracula films got lost in the shuffle here in the States with only the second and third films getting brief television runs and VHS releases in the 1980s and early 1990s. So how does Toho's loose take on the Bram Stoker mythology add up? Listen and find out!